Plaque 1
Transcription
Edwin H. Flack
Australia’s First Olympic Gold Medalist
Edwin Flack was the sole Australian to compete in the first Modern Olympic Games in 1896 at Athens Greece. Flack took part in five events 800m, 1500m, and marathon (athletics) and in the Tennis (singles & doubles). Flack was successful in winning the 800m and 1500 events.
Edwin Flack was an accountant and lived in Melbourne. Berwick however was Flack’s second home as he owned the farming property “Burnbank” located between Beaumont and Buchanan Roads. On this property with his partners Sir Sydney Sewell and later William Gamble, Flack established a most successful Friesian dairy herd from which he produced milk and cheese.
Edwin Flack was born in England in 1873, immigrated with his family to Australia in 1878, and following an eventful life died in 1935. Flack never married. Many charitable and welfare organizations, hospitals and research funds have benefited from his estate. He was buried at the Berwick cemetery.
This Statue of Edwin Flack by ‘Smiley’ Williams was erected in 1996 by the citizens of Berwick to mark the centenary of Flack’s achievements in Athens.
Plaque 2
Transcription
The generosity of the following people and organisations has made the erection of this statue possible – State of Victoria, the Marion & E H Flack Trust, Caserta Nominees, Mr Charles Gamble, Mrs Ray Kemp, the Lucas Family, Mr Ellis Loveridge, Mr & Mrs W H Hudson, Mr & Mrs C A Molyneux, Safeway Supermarkets, Roche Bros P/L, Rotary Clubs of Berwick and Narre Warren, Akoonah Park Committee of Management, Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce.
Surveyed on: 14 Nov 2010
Surveyed by: Shirley
To Whom It May Concern<
It might be appropriate to place an additional small plaque to the statue's base, noting the recent recognition of Flack's Tennis Doubles bronze medal at the 1896 Olympics.
See: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/first-olympic-champion-a-double-medallist-20080112-gdrwiv.html
Yours sincerely
John McPherson
Thank you John, we never knew!